Hands up: who remembers the MG RV8? If you don’t, allow us to enlighten you. Often to be found lurking in the back of Rover’s product catalogue in the early 90s, it was an attempt by Rover management to revive the MG marque and remind the public of the success of the
MGB
on which it was based, ahead of the full-scale launch of the
MGF
The idea was simple: take the Heritage B Roadster bodyshell and bring it up to date by means of a comprehensive facelift. Drop in Rover’s
venerable V8
, in this 4.0-litre form nicked from a
Range Rover
; add lashings of wood’n’leather, and... well, that was about the size of it, really. Even the B’s rear drum brakes and leaf springs remained, so as you’ve probably already guessed, it was less a decisive driver’s tool and more a friendly old hector best used for bimbling from country pub to country pub on a sunny Sunday.
Contemporary road tests often dismissed the RV8 as an indulgence, especially with its near-£26,000 price (just over £46,000 in modern money) but it served its purpose – and while it ultimately lacked the ability of rivals like the TVR Chimaera, it still had charm by the bucketload, not to mention a delightfully rumbly soundtrack.
...this, though, not so much...
However, for some, a soft-top didn’t feel quite right. Hence the rise of the RV8 GT, an unofficial conversion usually based around an old B GT, that combine the RV8’s updated looks and power with the classic coupe styling of the GT.
This one
, however, is a little different; rather than starting out as a GT, it in fact started life as a genuine RV8, and had the roof of a GT grafted on. Which makes it a bit special, in that it carries a genuine RV8 registration.
The conversion, we reckon, is a convincing one. Like the Jensen Viperceptor we featured in this slot a couple of weeks back (and for sale by the same dealer), it’s the brainchild of serial car customiser Brook Anderson who, it seems, does things properly when he set out to do them. It even sounds as though it’s been re-registered specifically as a GT. And complete with 11-inch-wide rear wheels, box arches – a topic recently discussed on PH – and finished in grey Alfa Romeo paintwork, it packs way more visual clout than any other RV8 we’ve seen.
...though this is pretty cool!
It delivers on that promise too, with a significantly breathed-on V8 that kicks out a claimed 254hp and a thumping 270lb ft torque. The standard car had just 193hp, yet could still hit 60mph in 5.9 seconds, which gives you an idea how quick this one should be. And with those throttle bodies and a chunky exhaust hanging out of the rear bumper, we’ll wager it sounds pretty smashing, too. We're not quite so keen on the... erm... let’s call it ‘extrovert’ interior, though.
Still, this is a rare beast, and sounds like bloomin’ brilliant fun, in a slightly scary, 'lots of power with old leaf springs and drum brakes' way. And while it’s a touch pricey for an RV8, quite frankly, we just don’t care. After all, where else are you going to find anything like it?
MG RV8 GT
Price: £24,995
Why you should: It’s unique, it sounds great, and it looks like no other MG
Why you shouldn’t: It isn’t exactly original, and there’s the small matter of that interior
See the original ad here.